The Ministry of Education has been advised to incorporate culture into the nation’s school curriculum.
That advice has come from Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
He made that suggestion while addressing the Heritage Day celebrations in Vieille Case on Sunday.
“I have spoken to the Minister (of education) and he had indicated that we would like to see all schools in Dominica, every single school in Dominica, having a cultural group. It’s not a matter of choice; it has to be part of the schools program. What I would also like to see happen as part of the independence celebration is that we can have, not a school’s competition, but a school exposition of our cultural art form in Dominica,” he said.
Meantime Prime Minister Skerrit said things should not be only about partisan politics.
He said Dominicans should look behind their personal grievances and work together towards nation building.
Teachers in Dominica have been ridiculed. Which school in Dominica does not have some kind of cultural programme as part of its curriculum? What is CULTURE? Isn’t culture a way of life, how we live, eat, drink, what we do in our leisure time, our music, how we relate to each other, our attitudes, dress, the way we speak, and so on? So no school in Dominica instructs our children, or have them participate in activities that would have them appreciate and develop those areas in their lives that would make them good citizens?
Of course, better approaches, more effective programmes and plans need to be put in place, but Skerritt’s statement is just another statement during Independence time. Because our unique culture and expressions of hard work, fair play, respect for elders, for the Constitution and Laws of our land, our ability to feed ourselves through self-reliance, koudmen traditions, togetherness of community residents, have been on the downslide.
The Independence of our democratic Institutions like the Electoral Commission, Police Force, Judiciary are being eroded through influence by political operatives.
Mental slavery is being more deeply entrenched. The freedoms we are guaranteed under our Constitution must be protected by all means. That is culture.
When Public Officials are found engaging in quick enrichment deals and schemes, when corruption raises its ugly head in numerous instances, when our Dominican passports are sold to all and sundry with no transparency or accountability, when the home of elders and the police officer investigating money-laundering are firebombed and speculations abound regarding the willingness or urgency to investigate and solve that heinous crime, good cultural practices are being thrown out of the window. When citizens are victimized or demonised for genuinely expressing his or her opinion about national issues affecting his/her life, our good cultural values are being disregarded.
Dominicans are being driven to believe that dependence on handouts or aid from foreign countries are the pillars for our development. Utter rubbish. This is a new form of SLAVERY and adoration for the Master. Those policies cannot be our cultural values. Those in charge pay lip service to the development of Agriculture. That important area of our development, that special aspect of our culture is neglected. So come again.
its a good idea like so many other good ideas that end up not being fulfilled because of lack of resources. talk is always good but actions speak louder. there were so many good ideas such as the 100 promises in 100 days most of which have not been accomplished. stop paying lip service to dominica and really mean what u say mr pm then u will have my support.
Best suggestion ever!!! And also creole language becoming part of the curriculum, we have to bring back culture in Dominica!!!
is about you said something that makes sense towards our youths
When the powers that be begin to judge performance based on how well the school performs culturally then it will not be a problem. But all they send us yearly is a list showing how well each school does in each school district based on academics. When Mr. Hyacinth announces the top performing schools he is only looking at CXC and GSAT. Let’s be real.
RESPECT THAT PM, HE IS A MAN SENT BY GOD. YOU SHALL NOT BE MOVED. GOOD IDEA MY PM
I hope that this comes to fruition. Wish this was the case when I went to school
stupes, qui sort sar. I hope when the verdict come you will dance to it.
culture riddim…bouyon riddim…its a DOMINICA thing for sure…..waay to go PM…we all rooking for you…
Let’s keep Dominica alive
give me a break………….how about incorporating counselors for both parents and kids.help equip parents with proper parenting skills…help make the relationship with parents and kids better……what I’m i saying….you guys don’t want that…after all there is not enough space in the world for every good kid…not enough jobs to go around….after all the prisons need to be kept filled….the majority need to be kept poor and needy
ok, you got you break…what are you really saying?
dear dear poor soul
Think of all that before you make children.I could afford one child…i made one.I thought of the parenting thing..pull up my socks and i am doing my thing.I counsel myself and gave myself my own parenting skills,so i don’t have to depend on government for all that.Let us be positive Dominicans and stop being stupid.You have to paddle your own canoe,control your child from birth..so when the time comes,it will not be government’s problem.
Tiny what is your point???? Yes you can add some other pointers but just to say that you say something. I would think that you would say in addition to this they can introduce ….. and make your point. I do know that most schools already have a guidance counseller etc.
Good idea PM,our culture must transcend our biases.